Show HOLDING BOYS COMMISSIONER of pOLICE New York expressed his regret the other day to a gathering of men interested in boy movements that all organized effort to direct the enthusiasm and vigor of youth in the right channels appears to end as the boys become 16 years of age He points to the indisputable fact that it is at about this age that hat boys are most likely to become victims of bad company At 16 in the mind of a boy he has entered upon mans man's estate It never occurs to him I that the reason the law has from time immemorial immemorial im im- im- im memorial decreed that he must have reached the age of 21 before he may make a valid contract or do other things reserved for an adult is that collected experience has shown that he is incapable of making decisions in critical matters before that age The exceptions exceptions exceptions to the rule only prove it There is a great need for sound guidance of youth between the ages of 16 and 21 and 21 and even after The underprivileged boy stands especially in need of this help to get his feet firmly set upon the highway that is to take him through life Ufe It is perhaps not so important that vocational vocational vocational voca voca- guidance and ethical direction be provided provided provided pro pro- vided for youth at this crucial stage in character character character char char- acter forming as it is that opportunity for constructively employing leisure time be cre cre- A busy mind seldom strays into the by by- paths Diversion is the most fertile soil solI for forthe forthe forthe the germination of the seed If the soil is well wel tilled before the seeds are planted the crop will be bounteous and good Neglected soil soi never fills the granary but brings forth only weeds |